A 1,200-year-old tree, one of Britain’s oldest and largest oaks, has been
felled by gale force winds.

The Pontfadog Oak which had been growing in Chirk in Wrexham since 802 had survived the Vikings, the English Civil War and two World Wars - but fell victim to an onslaught of bad weather.

The oldest oak in Wales, and probably one of the oldest in Northern Europe, is steeped in history, and Prince Owain Gwynedd rallied his troops under it in 1157 before he took on and defeated the English King Henry II.

Popular amongst visitors its hollow trunk, with a girth of 42ft 5in (12.9m), could seat six people at a table, it was said.

Until, on Wednesday night, owner Dianne Coakley-Williams heard it fall with an “almighty crash and a bang” as winds of over 50mph battered the area.

Just last year a group of experts had put together a list of actions needed to preserve the oak, but the plans were abandoned as the £5,700 funding could not be found.

Related Articles

It was not thought to be in imminent danger, and after the news broke villagers held a gathering “like a wake”, local ‘tree hunter’ Rob McBride said.

Angharad Evans of the Woodlands Trust said: “This venerable old tree has had a lot to cope with over the past few weeks, with heavy snow, a prolonged cold snap and finally high winds.

“But we believe that this sad case illustrates how we are failing to provide adequate protection for our ancient trees at present.”

In December the trust presented a petition with 5,300 signatures to the Welsh Assembly calling for better protection for ancient and heritage trees.

The oak also provided valuable habitat and the loss could lead to local extinction, it is feared.

Mrs Coakley-Williams added: “Lots of people had nice days out. But no one wanted to help preserve it.”

"I suppose it's lucky that nobody was hurt. But it's just so sad. My mother in law is devastated. She said it's like losing an old friend."

Moray Simpson, Tree Officer for Wrexham, said he was “absolutely gutted” and called for parts of the “iconic tree” to be saved to “show future generations what we had and what was lost due to the nation not doing enough.”

The tree is so significant locally that it forms part of the logo for the nearby Pontfadog Primary School. It will remain on the logo.

Met Office forecaster Charlie Powell said that the winds which caught the Pontfadog Oak have now died down and the weekend will be warm and bright.

Temperatures are expected to reach around 14C as there is sunshine for most of the country tomorrow, before light showers move in on Sunday.